INSPECT

This MRSEI project aims to facilitate the construction of a proposal to the H2020-MSCA-ITN-2020 call, with a focus on the ETN call. Our European training and research network will provide an innovative training program for young researchers (ESR) to improve the assessment of ecotoxicological risks and functional impacts on ecosystems based on the study of microbial communities. By developing an integrated approach including different environmental compartments (soil, water and sediment), the ETN project will implement an original doctoral training framework allowing to propose and validate a conceptual framework as well as innovative approaches and tools to (i) better preserve and / or restore the ecological functioning of ecosystems and associated services and (ii) to reduce the health risk resulting from the development and dispersion of antimicrobial resistance in the environment. To do this, our ETN project has ambitious objectives of interdisciplinarity. It will combine skills in analytical and environmental chemistry, microbial ecotoxicology and ecology, molecular biology, biogeochemistry, modeling and skills in the field of economic and social sciences. Moreover, the ETN project will enhance the career perspectives and employability of the recruited fellows by providing, (i) an extended international network (at least 6 involved countries: France, Germany, Sweden, Greece, Spain, Switzerland), (ii) the consideration of both environmental risks and health risks, (iii) the implementation of a multi-compartment environmental approach, (iv) the combination of in situ studies and controlled experiments by studying microorganisms at different levels of biological organization (from genes to communities). To optimize the training and maximize interaction between the different ESR (in particular to promote interdisciplinarity), classical doctoral training will be complemented by summer schools and thematic workshops combining theoretical and technical learning. A special attention will be paid to the inclusion in the project of non-academic partners (industries, consultancies, start-ups in the field of environmental technologies ...) to promote a good balance between on-site training and secondments in different research environments. The ETN project will also promote as much as possible the participation of the ESR in project management and decision-making, in order to encourage them to be proactive and responsible. Each of the scientific leaders identified at this stage for the beneficiary organizations (ie Irstea, INRA, UFZ, UGOT, UTH, CEAB) is particularly recognized in its scientific field and in the European community. Most of the partners have very good experience in supervising doctoral students, including ESR programs associated with European projects because of their participation in previous ITN projects. They have also demonstrated their ability to promote interactions between researchers and environmental managers and to build relationships with non-academic partners. This strong potential to lead and supervise highly applied research, which can lead to the establishment of standards and patents, will allow the development of very ambitious personal training and career plans for ESR, by including intersectoral training.